[AusNOG] Backhaul providers lobby against NBN POI proposal

[Skeeve Stevens]

Thing is... everyone is going to lobby against something if it affects their business model.

I'm not happy about the competitive backhaul being overbuilt, but I care just a little more about the regional population and them getting a fair go and equal services.  It is one of the reasons I put my hat in the ring and became a Director of the Internet Society - end users are the heart and soul of the internet - in this country and everywhere.

Originally NBNCo was not going to overbuild backhaul, and have some 100-200+ PoI's, but then RSP's would probably cherry-pick which PoI's they would connect to... mainly due to cost issues and the expense involved in backhaul from the far regional pops.... which would raise the costs for the regional population. This is unacceptable.

I am sympathetic to the backhaul providers... and maybe there is some sort of middle ground where NBNCo bought or leased their infrastructure, but the needs of regional Australians should come first - and NBNCo should be applauded for a model which makes those people equal to metro folk.

There are whole vertical markets which are going to be affected by the NBN:
- Greenfields estate infrastructure builders
- Developers who have invested in infrastructure in their MDU's
- Providers who deliver outsourced services into accommodation venues (like Universities), Aged Care, and other sites who may be overbuilt

And we have many customers who are in the above areas and I understand that they've built businesses (we've helped them!) around these services which may now be in jeopardy - but I have been advising them that while it is good to get together in lobby groups and associations and lobby for what they see as their rights, make sure they are diversifying their businesses as well - because if they lose then they're out of business.

Personally, I am 100% for the NBN.  I believe it is like a 16 lane highway being delivered into every home and business.  The internet runs in one of those lanes... and just like we expect the federal government to build highways - it is our job to build businesses that run over that highway.

Some people say they don't want it... I believe it doesn't matter... every home should be connected so that the next owner, or tenant can use it if they like - everyone should have the choice and it doesn't harm anyone having the option there.  Don't want it - don't order a service on it.

A lot of people say that landline based services are on the decline and wireless is on the increase and that young people would more likely have 3G or wireless technologies than a cable in their house.... I agree - to a point - based on today's technology offerings.  

But if you can make a phone call and plug your PlayStation 5 into the NBN ONT and get a service with Sony Online and download games and participate in a dedicated low-latency high-speed gaming network - then 3G internet @ home or not... I think this is the amazing sort of future we need to dream about.  Telstra today is coming up with lots of ideas with the T-Box and other things.  This is what we need to be thinking about - what can we use it for... how can we improve the lives of people - eHealth, Education, Entertainment, Communication.... the possibilities are limitless.

There are so many ideas that have been coming up in meetings with clients that may be able to be run over the NBN I am just amazed.  We need to think about what is possible and stop being so self interested in our own needs of today, and look forward on how we can improve everything to all of us.

...Skeeve

(Not speaking as an ISOC-AU director, but clearly my opinions are obvious)

--
Skeeve Stevens, CEO
eintellego Pty Ltd - The Networking Specialists
skeeve at eintellego.net / www.eintellego.net
Phone: 1300 753 383, Fax: (+612) 8572 9954
Cell +61 (0)414 753 383 / skype://skeeve
www.linkedin.com/in/skeeve ; facebook.com/eintellego
--
eintellego - The Experts that the Experts call
- Juniper - HP Networking - Cisco - Brocade - Arista - Allied Telesis


> -----Original Message-----
> From: ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net [mailto:ausnog-
> bounces at lists.ausnog.net] On Behalf Of Kai
> Sent: Friday, 12 November 2010 1:20 PM
> To: ausnog
> Subject: [AusNOG] Backhaul providers lobby against NBN POI proposal
> 
> Comments, anyone?
> 
> Backhaul providers lobby against NBN POI proposal
> http://itnews.com.au/News/238290,backhaul-providers-lobby-against-nbn-poi-
> proposal.aspx
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